What Are Bitters? A Complete Guide to Non-Alcoholic Bitters

If you have ever read a cocktail recipe, you have seen the instruction: “add two dashes of bitters.” But what are bitters, exactly? Why does a few drops of a mysterious little bottle make such a difference? And can you use them if you do not drink alcohol?

Fortunately, this guide answers all of that in plain language. First, you will learn what they are and what goes into them. Next, you will explore the main types and how to use each one. Finally, you will see how today’s non-alcoholic bitters let everyone enjoy that same depth of flavor. Moreover, every product we recommend is real, in stock, and available at BeClink with free US ground shipping.

What Are Bitters?

Bitters are a highly concentrated infusion of botanicals — including herbs, roots, bark, seeds, fruit peel, and spices — used in small amounts to season a drink. Essentially, think of them as the salt and pepper of the cocktail world. You do not drink them on their own. Instead, you add a few dashes to lift, balance, and tie together everything else in the glass.

Notably, the name comes from the bittering agents at their core — botanicals like gentian root, cinchona bark, and dandelion root. These provide a sharp, bitter backbone that the other flavors hang on. By contrast, a drink without them can taste flat or one-dimensional; a few dashes pull it into focus.

Historically, they began as medicine. In the early 1800s, apothecaries sold them as digestive tonics to settle the stomach. Over time, however, bartenders discovered that they made drinks taste dramatically better — and so the cocktail was born. In fact, the very definition of a “cocktail” in 1806 named just four things: spirits, sugar, water, and a few dashes.

What Are They Made Of?

Every bottle blends three building blocks. Once you understand them, you will see exactly why each one tastes the way it does.

1. Bittering Agents

Firstly, these give bitters their name and their backbone — gentian root, cinchona bark, dandelion root, burdock, and similar botanicals. In practice, they deliver that sharp, palate-cleansing bitterness that balances sweetness in a drink.

2. Aromatics & Spices

Secondly, this is where each one gets its personality — cinnamon, clove, cardamom, allspice, star anise, citrus peel, ginger, and more. Furthermore, these are the notes you actually smell and taste when you add a dash to a glass.

3. The Base

Traditionally, high-proof alcohol extracts and preserves the botanical flavors. However, modern alcohol-free versions use alternatives like vegetable glycerin and apple cider vinegar to pull the same flavor from the botanicals — with 0.0% alcohol. As a result, the finished product tastes authentic, without the spirit.

The Main Types You Should Know

Although dozens of styles exist, a few do most of the heavy lifting behind the bar. Therefore, let us start with the essentials.

Aromatic

This is the classic, all-purpose style — warm baking spice, gentian snap, and a deep, complex finish. Naturally, every bar keeps a bottle on hand. You will reach for it constantly: an Old Fashioned, a Manhattan, and a simple dash-and-soda all depend on it.

Orange

Meanwhile, bright, citrus-forward, and gently spiced with cardamom and coriander, this style adds a fresh lift wherever you want a zesty top note. Specifically, it shines in martinis, Negronis, margaritas, and spritzes.

New Orleans (Peychaud-Style)

Lighter and more floral, this style carries anise, cherry, and hibiscus notes. Above all, it is the signature of a Sazerac, and it brings Crescent City character to spritzes and sodas.

Specialty Flavors

Beyond the core three, you will find cherry, coffee, chocolate, and dozens of other flavored varieties. Consequently, you can fine-tune almost any drink. A few dashes of cherry-coffee, for instance, completely transforms a zero-proof Manhattan or a cola highball.

What Are They Used For?

These little bottles are remarkably versatile. Because you only use a few dashes at a time, a single one lasts for months. So what exactly do they do?

For non-alcoholic drinkers especially, they prove invaluable. A zero-proof cocktail often lacks the structure that alcohol gives a traditional drink. Fortunately, a few dashes restore that missing depth instantly. In short, they are the single most useful upgrade for any zero-proof cocktail recipe.

Do They Contain Alcohol?

This is the most common question — and the answer matters. Traditional bitters are alcoholic. Classic brands often reach 40–45% ABV, because high-proof alcohol extracts and preserves the botanical flavors. Even though you only use a few dashes, that alcohol still sneaks into your glass.

For most cocktails, a couple of dashes adds a negligible amount. However, if you live fully alcohol-free — whether for pregnancy, recovery, religious reasons, or personal choice — even a trace can matter. This is exactly why brands developed non-alcoholic bitters in the first place.

Today, brands like All The Bitter deliver the full flavor and function of the classics at a true 0.0% ABV, swapping vegetable glycerin for alcohol. As a result, everyone can finally enjoy a properly balanced Old Fashioned or Manhattan — no compromise required.

The Best Non-Alcoholic Options — Shop at BeClink

Every product below is real, in stock, and available at BeClink. All are made by All The Bitter — an award-winning line crafted by former sommeliers using certified-organic botanicals, 0.0% ABV, vegan, and gluten-free. All ship free across the continental US.

🥇 All The Bitter Aromatic — Best All-Purpose Bitters

0.0% ABV  |  Organic, Vegan & Gluten-Free ✓  |  Made in USA

If you buy only one bottle, make it this one. The Aromatic is the bar-cart essential — big baking-spice warmth (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger) over an earthy gentian backbone. It is styled after the classic profile that appears in nearly every cocktail recipe.

Specifically, it is the must-have for a non-alcoholic Old Fashioned, a Manhattan, or a simple dash-and-soda. Made with organic and wild-foraged botanicals, it delivers authentic depth without any alcohol. Start with 3–5 dashes per drink and adjust to taste.

Best for: Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, bitters & soda

Shop Aromatic Bitters →

🥈 All The Bitter Orange — Best for Bright, Citrus Lift

0.0% ABV  |  Organic, Vegan & Gluten-Free ✓  |  Made in USA

Orange brings sun-bright citrus and gentle spice to a glass. This one layers fresh orange peel with cardamom, coriander, and a unique lemon-balm note for instant complexity. Naturally, it is the perfect counterpoint to the Aromatic.

Subsequently, use it in martinis, margaritas, Negronis, and spritzes — anywhere you want a zesty top note. It even pairs with the Aromatic in an Old Fashioned for extra depth. Additionally, a few dashes turn plain sparkling water into a refreshing citrus soda.

Best for: Martinis, margaritas, spritzes, citrus sodas

Shop Orange Bitters →

🥉 All The Bitter New Orleans — Best for Sazeracs & Spritzes

0.0% ABV  |  Organic, Vegan & Gluten-Free ✓  |  Made in USA

Inspired by the 19th-century apothecary Antoine Peychaud, this style is lighter and more floral — lifted anise, tart cherry, hibiscus, and rosehips. It brings classic Crescent City character to a glass.

It is the signature choice for a zero-proof Sazerac, and it also shines in Americano-style spritzes, dash-and-soda, and even alcohol-removed red wine. If you want to move beyond the basics, this is the next bottle to add to your bar.

Best for: Sazerac riffs, Americano spritzes, sodas

Shop New Orleans Bitters →

All The Bitter 4-Bottle Bundle — Best Value for a Full Bar

4 × 2oz bottles  |  0.0% ABV  |  Organic, Vegan & Gluten-Free ✓

Ultimately, this is the complete kit for building a zero-proof bar in one purchase. This set includes all four essentials: Aromatic (classic spice), Orange (bright citrus), New Orleans (Peychaud-style lift), and Cherry Coffee Blast (rich cherry-cocoa-coffee depth).

Together, then, they cover virtually every cocktail you will ever make — from Old Fashioneds and Manhattans to Sazeracs, spritzes, and sodas. It is also the best way to taste the full range and discover your favorites. For anyone serious about mocktails, this bundle is the smartest starting point.

Best for: Building a complete zero-proof bar; gifting

Shop 4-Bottle Bundle →

How to Use Them: Simple Recipes

Happily, they are easy to use once you know the basics. Start with a few dashes and adjust to taste. Here are three simple ways to begin.

The Classic Dash & Soda

Fill a glass with ice, add 6 oz soda water, then add 6–10 dashes of Aromatic. Afterward, garnish with a lemon wheel. This is the classic low-calorie, alcohol-free sipper — refreshing and endlessly customizable.

Non-Alcoholic Old Fashioned

Stir 2 oz non-alcoholic whiskey, 0.25 oz simple syrup, and 2–4 dashes of Aromatic with ice. Then strain over a large cube and express an orange peel. Ultimately, those few dashes are what make it taste like the real thing.

Citrus Spritz

Build a non-alcoholic gin or sparkling water over ice, top with tonic, then add 3–4 dashes of Orange. Finally, garnish with an orange twist for a bright, bittersweet spritz.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are bitters?

Bitters are a concentrated flavoring made by infusing botanicals — herbs, roots, bark, fruit peel, and spices — into a base. Used a few dashes at a time, they add depth, aroma, and balance to cocktails and mocktails. They are often called the “salt and pepper” of the bar.

What can you use them for?

Bitters are used to balance and add complexity to drinks, lift their aroma, and tie flavors together. A few dashes elevate cocktails and mocktails, make a simple bitters-and-soda, and can even season food like marinades, dressings, desserts, and coffee.

Do they contain alcohol?

Traditional bitters are alcoholic — often 40–45% ABV — because high-proof alcohol extracts the botanical flavors. However, you only use a few dashes per drink. For a fully alcohol-free option, non-alcoholic bitters like All The Bitter deliver the same flavor at 0.0% ABV using vegetable glycerin instead.

Can you drink bitters without alcohol?

Yes. Non-alcoholic bitters are made specifically for this. Brands like All The Bitter are 0.0% ABV and organic, so you can enjoy the full flavor and function of bitters in mocktails, sparkling water, or food without any alcohol.

What is the difference between aromatic and orange bitters?

Aromatic bitters are warm and spice-forward (cinnamon, clove, gentian) and are the all-purpose classic for Old Fashioneds and Manhattans. Orange bitters are bright and citrus-forward (orange peel, cardamom) and lift martinis, margaritas, and spritzes. Many bartenders use both together.

How many dashes should I use?

Generally, start with 3–5 dashes per drink and adjust to taste. For a dash-and-soda, you can use more — 6–10 dashes — since the bitters are the main flavor. A little goes a long way, which is why one bottle lasts a long time.

Do they expire?

Bitters last a long time. Non-alcoholic bitters are best within about 12 months of opening for peak flavor. Store them in a cool, dark place and shake before each use. Refrigeration is not required.